NEW NASAL SPRAY CAN HELP PREVENT OPIOID OVERDOSES
A new nasal spray that prevents opioid overdose was trialed at the beginning of the year and is successfully being implemented in other states where opioid abuse is an issue. The Narcan nasal spray is being made available to police departments, drug users and relatives of addicts across the US as a way of preventing […]
3 BARRIERS TO TREATING OPIOID ADDICTION
Dealing with nonmedical prescription drug addiction can be a minefield because of the barriers that exist both in society and the healthcare system preventing easy access to necessary treatment. These barriers are significant enough to deter many addicts from seeking the treatment they need. Here we take a look at the barriers many addicts believe […]
JAMIE LEE CURTIS SPEAKS OUT ABOUT OPIOID ADDICTION
In a recent TV interview, well-known former opioid addict Jamie Lee Curtis spoke of her battle with addictionand how she found sobriety more than 18 years ago. Curtis reflected on the untimely deaths of Prince and Michael Jackson, reiterating her opinion that addiction is non-discriminatory and that there are still many misconceptions held in our […]
THE EFFECTS OF SLEEP DURING ADDICTION TREATMENT
During drug and alcohol rehabilitation, it is not unusual for your sleep patterns to change. This is mainly because most addicts have a long history of using specifically to give them a good night’s sleep and unless this is controlled within a treatment program, constantly battling an inability to sleep can hamper your progress. Here […]
8 MYTHS ABOUT DRUG ADDICTION
Drug addiction is a serious mental illness that requires professional treatment, and yet there are many myths about addiction that are still being perpetuated. Here we take a closer look at 10 addiction myths and debunk them once and for all: 1. If drugs have been prescribed, they are somehow ‘safe’. Although this is the […]
How New Legislation Will Help Fight the Opioid Addiction Epidemic
Image by Sacred Heart via Flickr Progress is finally underway for those fighting the opioid addiction epidemic. To help the nation battle the ongoing addiction issue, the U.S. Senate passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) on July 13. The new legislation will provide $181 million in federal grants to help States combat rising opioid […]
5 WAYS TO STOP ALCOHOL CRAVINGS
One of the hardest aspects of recovering from alcohol or drug abuse is the cravings that can easily drag you back into bad behaviors and addictive patterns. In order to achieve the maximum benefit of drug or alcohol addiction treatment, learning some coping mechanisms to deal with the inevitable cravings can significantly boost your chances. […]
THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY INTERVENTION IN DRUG ABUSE
The Heightened Risk of Addiction in Adolescents Young adults are at a greater risk of drug abuse as they are more exposed to drugs and alcohol in social settings or at school. They also may feel peer pressure on them to start using drugs that they feel unable to resist and can lead to experimentation […]
HOW TO QUIT METHADONE: DETOX AND WITHDRAWAL TIPS
Once the first step has been taken to seek help for addiction issues, it is natural to have questions about the process involved. Withdrawal from drugs can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous, which is why it is always advisable to seek treatment at a specialist addiction recovery center. Although it is an unpleasant process, it […]
THE SCIENCE BEHIND ADDICTION: EFFECTS OF DRUGS ON THE BRAIN AND BODY
Both prescription and illegal drugs like heroin work with the same mechanism that is intended to reduce pain sensations by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and other organs. The drug creates a sensation of drowsiness and slows down breathing, often to a dangerous extent if opioid addiction is present where the potential for […]
Can Vivitrol Help to End Opioid Addiction?
According to a recent study, an extended-release drug called Vivitrol has shown to reduce opioid dependency rates significantly, particularly among male members of minority populations. Vivitrol is a full opioid antagonist that is an injectable formula of naltrexone, administered monthly in treatment of opioid addiction. Such is the confidence in Vivitrol in the opioid addiction […]
CAN HORSES HELP ADDICTS HEAL?
Using animal interaction for medical purposes isn’t a new thing when you think about guide dogs for the blind as a classic example. But horses? Although it may sound a little out there, research has shown that involving horses in addiction therapy is extremely beneficial. Known as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy or EAP, this pioneering addiction […]